
The Funtana Raminosa area is located in central Sardinia, between the regions of Barbagia di Belvì and Sarcidano. It covers an area of about 145 square kilometers, equivalent to 3.85% of the total surface of the Geomineral Park of Sardinia.
The area's geomineralogical importance is primarily due to the presence of a significant copper mine, Funtana Raminosa, which has played a particularly important role in the history of copper metallurgy since the Eneolithic Age. Adjacent to Funtana Raminosa is the Giaccurru-Perdabila iron deposit, where limited extraction activities took place at different times.
The vastness of forests and untouched areas has allowed the preservation of an exceptionally interesting fauna. Mouflons abound, seeking refuge on the highest peaks, along with golden eagles.
In this highly significant environmental context are located the mining sites of Funtana Raminosa, Giaccurru-Perdabila, and Corongiu-Seui, rich in evidence of mining work and industrial archaeological heritage.
The Funtana Raminosa mine is tied to a fundamental part of Sardinia's history. In this location, along the banks of the Rio Saraxinus, ancient peoples dug narrow galleries that extended deep into rich copper ore pockets. These are signs of ancient mining activities that drew the attention of engineers studying the mine in the past century. Some porphyry discs, 5-10 centimeters in diameter, found on-site and likely used to crush ore, were attributed to the Romans.
Later, entire ancient underground sites were discovered, where chalcopyrite and galena had been completely extracted. Surrounding the mine are several Nuragic smelting sites, where bronze metallurgy was refined.